After facing backlash for supporting James Gunn’s ‘Superman,’ ‘Suicide Squad’ director David Ayer responded online.
The controversy arose from an unfortunate timing issue when Ayer boosted another “Release the Ayer Cut” campaign that coincided with the release of ‘Creature Commandos,’ the first project in the DC Universe, on the 2024 TV schedule. With the highly anticipated Superman trailer set to premiere, Ayer took to X to express his hope for no overlap in campaigning, stating:
“I didn’t realize James was dropping ‘Creature Commandos’ when the last Ayer cut campaign hit. The new ‘Superman’ trailer is dropping soon and I know there’s intentions of another campaign for my version of Skwad. As a film makers I want to support other film makers. I’m excited to see the trailer and have heard through the rumor mill it’s pretty incredible. I just want to publicly say it would be nice to stay far clear of Thursday for any campaigning. I appreciate everyone hearing me out. At the end of the day I’m riding a tiger here. Just going in heard on this.”
Some individuals took issue with Ayer’s comments, prompting him to clarify his position in another post:
“My Lord. If supporting another film maker is so contentious, I’m just lost at this point. When I was a kid I had a nightmare childhood. My best friends were comic books. They held me and gave me company when no one else did. Batman spoke to my injured soul. ‘Superman’s optimism was an example how to see the world without darkness. I cannot fucking wait to see Jame’s trailer. Real talk. And I cannot wait to see his film. And absolutely am sure he crushed it. Because that simple optimism of ‘Superman’ is all over it. And the little kid in me needs that right now. I’m a bad guy for that? So be it. I do troll what I can control. And can’t what I can’t. Gonna step back from all this for a moment.”
James Gunn has teased that ‘Superman’ “[starts] in the middle of the action” and revealed, “Lois and Clark already know each other.” He added, “Lex hates ‘Superman’s guts from the beginning, although they don’t know each other personally. So we start right in the middle of the action. It takes place over a short amount of time.”
‘Superman’ is set to hit theaters on July 11, 2025. While ‘Creature Commandos’ technically launched the DCU, Gunn and Peter Safran, the other co-president of DC Studios, have stated that ‘Superman2 will serve as the “true beginning” of the new DC Universe.
The film stars David Corenswet in the dual role of Superman/Clark Kent, Rachel Brosnahan as Lois Lane, and Nicholas Hoult as Lex Luthor.
